Matza prices soar for Passover

Specialized matzot, including bran and whole grains, have doubled in price, according to matza manufacturers, but these prices have not kept dieters away.

These healthy products are predicted to constitute some 14 percent of matza sales, compared to 7 percent in the previous year, and are estimated at 10 million shekels ($2.4 million).

Matza sales are expected to reach 110 million shekels ($26.4 million) this year, a 10 percent increase compared to 2006. This figure includes 70 million shekels ($16.8 million) sold in Israel and another 40 million shekels ($9.6 million) sold abroad.

A total of 3,000 tons of matzot are expected to be exported to more than 40 Jewish communities worldwide.

Matza producers reported that prices had gone up by 8-10 percent due to an increase in raw-material costs. A 2.5-kilo (5.5 pound) package of matza is sold for 25-30 shekels ($6-8).

There are 15 different varieties of matza on sale this year including matzot made with eggs, honey or chocolate, matzot of different shapes and those with special gift-wrapped matzot.

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